Watching out for your child's health

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - You might want to check with your family members before letting your kid hit the field this summer. That's the advice after a Bedford high school student collapsed during a practice this week.

Christopher Campbell is still in a medically induced coma at Toledo Hospital. He's in critical condition, but he's been stabilized. It's a wake up call for all parents out there because there really aren't any symptoms.

Family history is the one thing parents really need to monitor because genetics could be the key to preventing a tragedy.

A tragedy could have happened to Lee Tabb, but these days he still towers over the court at Savage park. Years ago, a routine exam spotted a large aorta.

"They told me I couldn't play no more. They told me I couldn't play no more unless I had surgery. So I went and got the surgery," said Tabb, a basketball player at Central State University.

A good ending for Tabb is what everyone wants for Christopher Campbell after he went into cardiac arrest at Bedford High School.

"This is a relatively rare phenomena to happen. A rare disease and you have to be aware of it. If you have any concerns you look into it through your primary care physician," said Doctor Fouad Butto from Toledo Hospital.

Usually things like fainting and chest paints signal heart problems, but in rare cases you don't see anything.

"This is not something you detect. The child will be the exception that has symptoms. I think the biggest clue is to know whether there's a family history of cardiac problems," said doctor Butto.

"When I play, I just keep playing as much as I can. I try not to worry about it. Try not to think about it," said Tabb. "He shouldn't get too down. Hopefully they can figure out something for him. I wish him the best."

Doctor Butto says the use of one of those automatic external defibrillators made a big difference in helping Campbell survive because he was stabilized so quickly.